A wheelman’s parade, participated in by 24,000 bicyclists, may be one of the sights at the exposition. Efforts are being made to bring about that result.
The Pennsylvania coal operators want to construct a building entirely of anthracite coal at the exposition and to have 50,000 tons of best anthracite on exhibition.
A continuous clam-bake will be one of the attractions which epicurean visitors will find at the exposition.
The South African diamond mine exhibit will doubtless prove an eye-opener, to use a slang expression. The exhibit will come from Cape Colony and will include 10,000 carats of uncut stones, a very large quantity of stones fine cut and polished, together with all that is necessary to show the process of mining and washing. For this it will be necessary to transport to Chicago 100 tons of pulverized blue earth, 50 tons of unpulverized earth, and a complete washing machine, which will be operated by natives. The exhibit will also include a unique collection of crocidolite, special diamondiferous products, ostrich feathers, fleeces, etc. It is reported that a Bushman and Hottentot in native dress will accompany the exhibit.
A communication has been received by the fair officials from the British Commission asking for space to exhibit the rifle-calibre guns manufactured by the Maxim-Nordenfeldt Gun Company. The company wants to erect a building in which to exhibit its guns in practice. One end of the building will be filled with sandbags into which the projectiles of the guns will be fired. It is claimed that the arrangements are such as will insure perfect safety and will be reproductions of a similar exhibit recently given at the Royal Naval Exposition in London.
The wooded island in the exposition grounds has already begun to assume the character which in great part it will have during the fair—that of a gigantic flower garden. The horticultural department has recently received 27,000 rose bushes and other plants, several thousand of which came from abroad. These are being transplanted on the island.
It may be said to be assured that the exhibits at the fair will cover a wider range and be far more numerous than any array ever before gathered together. They will present a picture of the condition and industrial progress of mankind in every quarter of the world and of its achievements in every branch of the sciences and arts. The exposition classification embraces 12 departments, 176 groups and 967 classes. The applications for space by intending exhibitors in the United States alone numbered 2,082 in January last. The number at the Philadelphia Centennial in corresponding space was 864. Applications from foreign visitors are rapidly increasing in numbers. It seems assured that the visitors will outnumber those at any previous world’s fair.
In April, 1893, a grand international naval review, preliminary to the opening of the exposition, as provided for by an act of Congress, will be held in New York harbor, arrangements for which are already in progress. All the great navies of the world will participate in this vast aquatic pageant.
PART VIII.
ABOUT THE CITY DURING FAIR TIME.
